Cashel goals sink the ‘Church

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Cashel King Cormacs 6-21

Upperchurch/Drombane 2-28

(After Extra Time)

Report: Michael Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

For sheer drama, this County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final on Saturday will be hard to beat as Cashel King Cormacs hit four goals in extra time to see off the challenge of Upperchurch-Drombane in a thriller.

Cashel, who qualified for the knockout stages only on the strength of their West final success, having failed to make the top two in their group, have steadily turned their year around and now stand one-step away from regaining senior status.

It took a late Devon Ryan free to tie the game at 2-20 each, two minutes into added time at the end of normal time, and having been given that life-line, Cashel took full advantage with an extra time goal spree that shattered the hopes of last year’s relegated senior team, Upperchurch/Drombane.

It was breath-taking stuff all the way – a free-scoring encounter which, while it lacked real championship intensity, was hugely entertaining with each side enjoying their spells of dominance as they battled to a stalemate at the end of the hour.

Cashel enjoyed early dominance, helped by a David McGrath goal after two minutes en-route to a 1-6 to 0-2 lead after twelve minutes. Eoghan Connolly was the driving force with Paddy Fahey and Devon Ryan also to the fore.

Slow off the blocks, Upperchurch/Drombane began to find their feet and buoyed by a Paidi Greene goal after eighteen minutes, were level at 1-9 each by the 21st minute. Paul Ryan’s free-taking a big help with Paddy Phelan and Pat Ryan also to the fore as the sides reached half-time all square at 1-13 each.

Given that both teams were on most people’s short-list of likely champions, the closeness of the exchanges was no surprise and so it continued in the second half, Cashel looking to have struck a telling blow when substitute Ger Browne netted off an Oisin O’Donoghue pass for a 2-16 to 1-17 lead after 46 minutes.

Three minutes later, Paddy Phelan had ‘the Church ahead again with a spectacular goal, whipping home the ball while on his knees for a 2-17 to 2-16 lead. To the finish, the sides grappled, Upperchurch looking winners with Paidi Greene’s free two minutes from time but in injury time Devon Ryan rescued Cashel with a levelling point from a free.

Exciting stuff indeed but nothing compared to what was coming in extra time. After Gavin Ryan had pointed Upperchurch into the lead, Oisin O’Donoghue netted for Cashel from a Ger Browne pass in the fourth minute. A minute later, O’Donoghue again netted for Cashel with Devon Ryan the provider and in the seventh minute, when O’Donoghue was fouled, Eoghan Connolly lashed the penalty to the net.

Leading 5-20 to 2-24 at the break in extra time, Cashel looked safe, but Upperchurch came at them vigorously in the second period. Points from Conor Fahey, Diarmuid Grant and Gavin Ryan closed the gap to two points with five minutes to play.

A marvellous recovery by Upperchurch/Drombane who appeared to have the momentum to get them home, but Cashel showed their mettle in those tense closing minutes. Devon Ryan and Gavin Ryan exchanged points before in the eightieth minute, Adrian Cummins justified his introduction with a goal from a Devon Ryan delivery to get Cashel into the final.

By any measure, this was thrilling stuff. Winners of the West title and the Crosco Cup, Cashel will be seeking to complete a treble in the final, an unlikely prospect some weeks back. Oisin O’Donoghue’s brace of goals, being fouled for the penalty, and his assist for Ger Browne’s goal, merits the man of the match accolade but Eoghan Connolly, Devon Ryan, Conor O’Dwyer, and Paddy Fahey were not far behind.

It was tough on Upperchurch/Drombane who had hoped for a speedy return to senior ranks, but, who, like many others have learned the hard way that the premier intermediate championship is a difficult title to annex. Foremost in their bid for a spot in the final were Gavin Ryan, Keith Ryan, Paddy Phelan, Pat Ryan, Niall Grant, and Paidi Greene.

Player of the Match: Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs)

Cashel King Cormacs: Johnny Walsh (6); Con Bonnar (6), Nathan Ryan (6), Kieran O’Dwyer (6); James Cummins (7), Conor O’Dwyer (7), Ronan Connolly (0-1, 7); Paddy Fahy (0-1, 7), Eoghan Connolly (1-6, 1-0 pen, 0-3f, 0-1 s-cut 8); Cathal Quinn (0-2, 7), Devon Ryan (0-7, 3f, 7), Oisin O’Donoghue (2-1, 7); David McGrath (1-1 6), Anthony Walsh (6), Ross Bonnar (0-2, 6).

Subs: Ger Browne (1-0, 6) for McGrath (39); Dan Moloney (6) for Cummins (53); Adrian Cummins (1-0, 6) for R Bonnar (HT ET); David McGrath for Browne (18 ET).

Upperchurch/Drombane: Ciaran Shortt (6); Dean Carew (7), Ger Grant (6), Keith Ryan (7); Niall Grant (0-2, 7), Gavin Ryan (0-4, 2f, 7), Ailbe O’Donoghue (0-1, 6); Paidi Greene (1-6, 0-2f, 8), Aaron Ryan (6); Diarmuid Grant (0-2, 6), Paddy Phelan (1-3, 8), Paul Shanahan (7); Luke Shanahan (7), Paul Ryan (0-6, 5f, 6), Pat Ryan (0-3, 7).

Subs: Michael Lavery (6) for O’Donoghue (41); Conor Fahey (0-1, 7) for P Ryan (53); Colm Ryan (6) for Phelan (60+2).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels).